I hook a finger around his collar. The fabric is thick and resistant. I take a closer look… "Three undershirts?"

"I don't share these nipples with just anyone." He removes the top layer. "Still interested?"

"Yes."

"Whew." He sheds the next layer. "How about now?"

"Now, I'm thinking you're horribly burned."

"If only I were that interesting."

"Last layer, buddy."

"Can we ever truly shed all our layers?"

"I'm strictly interested in the prudish nipples."

He peels off the final undershirt, revealing a tank top with black lettering. It reads, "Leave me alone, I'm having a crisis."

I flop back on the mattress, laughing.

He stretches the hem, making the words easier to read. "How many arbitrary points do I get?"

"Take that off and I'll tell you."

He removes the tank; revealing a perfectly average physique—not too flabby, not too lean, but strong enough to pillow a girl's head, if ever needed. But not tonight, of course. In the future. The way distant future. The way, way, waaaaayyy—

"How many?"

"That bought you thirty minutes of cuddling."

"When?"

Ugh! How does he do this to me? I cover my smiling face with my hands. "Tonight."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:For several years, Briana MacPerry has practiced as a Licensed and Board Certified Creative Arts Therapist in New York City, working predominantly with traumatized women and addiction. Currently, she teaches graduate level thesis writing and works for a brain research and diagnostic facility. When she is no corralling her four-year old son, she is slaving away at her passion's pursuit. AN OPTIMIST'S GUIDE TO LOVE'S DESTRUCTION is an unpublished work. To learn more, please visit her blog at www.brianamacperry.wordpress.com, or follow her on twitter @macperrytweets.